Guest Series 03
THE ALLURE OF LACQUER SILK BY LILLIAN HUE X. LY
In the radiant epoch of the bygone century in Vietnam, the Lacquer Silk, Lanh My A, emerged as the crowning jewel of the illustrious Tan Chau silk village. A treasure beyond compare, this exquisite textile graced only the most opulent and aristocratic abodes, a privilege exclusive to the graceful ladies of affluence and nobility.
Adorned in the exquisite threads of the most delicate silk, lacquer silk emerges, steeped in the rich ebony hues derived from the very essence of the diospyros mollis fruit. This fruit's essence, a vessel of quintessence itself, imbues the fabric with a profound narrative of nature's artistry. The silken strands, meticulously woven, bear the legacy of a craft honed over generations, an intricate dance of tradition unfurling through time.
Behold the dual visages of lacquer silk — a dance between matte and resplendent surfaces, an interplay of opulence and subtlety. The fabric itself, a caress of ebony elegance, possesses a perpetual luster that gleams ever brighter with the passage of time. Enveloped in this enchanting textile, you shall be graced not only by the silken smoothness but also by the lingering fragrance of diospyros mollis fruit.
In the embrace of lacquer silk, the seasons themselves bow to your comfort, offering cool respite during summer's embrace and tender warmth in winter's chill. Remarkably versatile, lacquer silk channels the effects of leather, paper, and silk, harmonizing these tactile experiences upon a single luxurious surface. Thus, this marvel earns its appellation — lacquer silk, a symphony of artistry and timeless elegance.
Owing to the time-intensive production methods demanding rare expertise and the prevailing trend of rapid fashion, the distinctive artisanship of Lanh My A is fading from the awareness of younger generations. In this deliberate photo session, a dress fashioned from lacquer silk is introduced, infusing a youthful reinterpretation in this time-honored textile. This showcases Lanh My A’s resilience and sensational ability to captivate contemporary sensibilities, all in a concerted effort to preserve the world's extraordinary textile culture.
Industrialization may inadvertently overshadow the beauty of craftsmanship. Yet, the willingness to delve into the history of an art illustrates an unspoken longing for the most authentic connection between humanity and the cosmos.
Creative Director / Producer / Talent: Lillian Hue X. Ly @lillianxly
Photographer: Quynh Pham @qskulls
MUA: Cong Anh Le Nguyen @dannee.makeup